Tuesday, June 30, 2009

My Little Artist!

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Anna has changed so much in the past few weeks. She is d oing all sorts of new things:

Sitting up!!
Sitting in a High Chair (and eating three meals a day!)
Taking a "real" bath in the bath tub (and LOVING it)!
Scooting Everywhere! I mean EVERYWHERE!!
Exploring EVERYTHING!

and....

COLORING!!! Yep! She actually LOVES it. I'll give her a crayon and she'll just bang it on the paper and laugh. She sees it make a mark and then she just bangs it and bangs it until I give her another crayon. Of course I have to keep her from coloring her face!! Here are a few of her "masterpieces"!

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I think they are fun =) They were her Father's Day cards this year!

Well, it is 9pm and if any of you have a 6 month old teething you know I better get in the bed and sleep while I can!

Have a good night. Be back soon!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Dream Desk!

Have any of you seen Martha Stewart's Craft Room? It's amazing! I've been day dreaming of a "craft desk" for years. Eventually I want something like this in my house.

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I'd LOVE to have it in in my kid's playroom so while Anna (and her future siblings) play or watch a movie I can "play" too!!!

I am guilty of day dreaming ALL the time. Most of the time it is stuff like this.. Dream House on my Dream Farm complete with my Dream Kitchen, Dream Bathroom, Dream Closet, Dream Playroom (with Dream Desk), Dream Yard w/ Dreamy flowers and white picket fence (and Dream Pool), Dream Shop (for my glass stuff.. Casey can have a Dream Garage with all his Dream Tools and Dream Cars, Trucks, and Boats)
... I could go on for HOURS!!

It is fun to think about. Maybe one day I'll draw up my Dream House with all that goes with it.

Y'all have a fun day! Until next time....

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Stay Cool!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Checked in on Anna and....

this is what I found!




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Anna is at such a fun age these days. She is in to everything! We have no clue how she managed to get her giraffe ("Raff") on her back but she did. Casey and I cracked up.. we watched her tote him around the room for about 20 minutes. Then she looked up at us like she was so proud of herself!! Little Stinker!

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Okay, well I am going to do a little baking with those blueberries: muffins, cupcakes, and strudle! I'll be back tomorrow!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Blueberry Delight!!

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I just finished picking a bucket full of the delicious berries!!
I think I ate two for every one I put in the bucket too! They are the sweetest little plump berries ever! I'm loving them.... and I'm LOVING all these fun recipes that call for fresh blueberries!

Here are a few I can vouch for:

BLUEBERRIES `N CREAM CHEESECAKE (I believe this is a Southern Living recipe)

2 1/2 c. fresh blueberries
1 tbsp. cornstarch
3 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
5 eggs
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. commercial sour cream
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. water
1 c. fresh blueberries

Combine 2 1/2 cups blueberries and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in container of electric blender; blend until smooth. Cook puree in saucepan over medium-high heat about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Set mixture aside to cool. Reserve 1/2 cup puree for glaze.
Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, mixing well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 2 tablespoons cornstarch and salt. Pour batter into a greased 9 inch springform pan. Pour puree over cheesecake batter; gently swirl with a knife. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until set. Remove from oven; cool on wire rack 20 minutes.

Combine sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and vanilla; mix well. Spread over cheesecake. Bake at 325 degrees and additional 10 minutes. Cool cheesecake on wire rack. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Combine reserved 1/2 cup puree, 1/4 cup sugar and water in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Gently fold in 1 cup blueberries; let cool.

Remove sides of springform pan. Spoon blueberry glaze on cheesecake. Yield: one 9 inch cheesecake.


SOUR CREAM-BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE (this was SO good but next time I make it I think I'm going to mix some of my blueberries into the batter too)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsps lemon zest
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 pint fresh blueberries (can use frozen)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup powder sugar
4 tsps milk

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until smooth.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Pour batter into a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan.

Combine berries, pecans, sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over batter. bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes (I had to bake much longer for some reason). Cool.

Whisk sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle over cake.

Yield (one 9-inch cake)

Tonight I'm making LEMON-BLUEBERRY CUPCAKES: (I'll let you know how they turn out but they look SO good!)

Yield
1 dozen (serving size: 1 cupcake)

Ingredients
Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups (about 6 3/4 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
10 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 large egg
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed


Frosting:
1/4 cup (2 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Fresh blueberries (optional)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
Place 12 decorative paper muffin cup liners into muffin cups.



To prepare cupcakes, lightly spoon 1 1/2 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Measure 1 tablespoon flour; level with a knife. Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour plus 1 tablespoon flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Combine melted butter and egg in another large bowl; stir with a whisk. Add buttermilk, milk, and 1 teaspoon rind to butter mixture; stir with a whisk. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Toss blueberries with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Fold blueberries into batter. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.


To prepare frosting, place cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon rind, vanilla, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed just until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar (do not overbeat). Stir in juice. Spread frosting evenly over cupcakes; garnish with blueberries, if desired. Store, covered, in refrigerator.


Have a good rest of the weekend. I'll be back soon.

***Oh... by the way. I realize the little dress I made yesterday was a little too big (it isn't really suppose to gather like that around the collar)... but I'm okay with it because in a year (or maybe even two) it will be the cutest little top!***

See y'all soon


Friday, June 26, 2009

nap time project and photos

Today I made THIS:

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I love it! I was going to just do a little "pillow-case dress" but then I decided to bind the armholes and make them into the straps.

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It wasn't very hard. I'm going to upload "my patterns" tonight or tomorrow. My scanner is working again- (I asked Casey to look at it last night and this morning he said "all you do to get it working is press the little silver button that says power".. ugggh.. like I hadn't done that 12 times).

Anyway.. after Anna woke up from her nap I put her in the dress to "model" it for you.

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Then we went outside:

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I thought you would enjoy these.

Have a HappyWeekend... I'll be back soon!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Today's Project

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These were SO easy!! The other day I ventured out to make Anna a little white sun dress.. after THREE failed attempts to follow the pattern I decided I need to just do my own patterns. Today I studied a pattern for these little shoes.. figured it out in my head and successfully completed them in a matter of minutes!

If you are a visual learner like me maybe you can benefit from my "pattern". My scanner wasn't working so I just took a picture of it. Email me if you have any questions.

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*small mistake in "what you will need". You will need 4 soles, 4 tops, and 2 heels (they fold over to double as lining).

Tomorrow I'm going to try "my pattern" for a little white dress!
Have a good night!

A break from the crafts...

Anna is up from her nap and that means a break from sewing...
Right now she is playing on her playmat and I thought I would show you with a picture or two what she has been up to today!

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Or WHERE she has been...
Little is learning to scoot all over the place. The sweet little thing was trying her hardest to get to the soft orange block but every time she would reach out to try and grab it, it would scoot further and further away. After I snapped a few photos of her "journey" I decided to help her out... she had worked hard enough!!!

plus, she got pretty upset about it!

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Can't wait to show you what I've been working on today! Hopefully I'll get a picture posted tonight!!! I'm off to get in the floor with this little stinker (who is obviously feeling much, much better!)

Be back soon!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

creative-overload!

Anna is sleeping soundly and I have been browsing sites of creative inspiration all night and now I am totally revved up with excitement of all the fun projects I can't wait to do some day! (Check side-bar soon for a list of "prominent places" to check out.)

My brain has just announced "CREATIVE-OVERLOAD"!! I'm dreaming of sewing, stiching, drawing, pasting, painting, knitting, writing ... and not to mention my stainglass...

....more specifically making another Noah's Ark:

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Of course I'll have to finish "real" orders first - "brainy" orders get pushed back until time allows- or until time is MADE)


ThankYou! ThankYou! ThankYou for all of the encouraging comments and interest in my artwork! I'm happy to answer your questions (I'll be posting a frequently asked Q&A soon). Feel free to email me at momatt412{at}yahoo{dot}com if you are interested in a piece.


Thanks for Reading&Sharing!
See you soon... hopefully with some finished "creative-overload" projects!

another window!!

stainglass window

This is a window I made a year ago for an art show. It is one of my favorite pieces I've done. I just got an order for another one just l ike it today! Hopefully I can get it started this weekend.

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Anna has been feeling much better today. She is a little back to normal... just sleeping a lot. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I have done a whole lot of NOTHING today.

Hopefully this weekend I can meet with the fabric and sewing patterns I've neglected. I'll let you know what I end up with!

Y'all have a HappyFriday & Weekend. I'll be back soon!

Anna's Night

WENT GREAT!!!

She slept through the night without even budging, much less crying or throwing up!
This morning she is still congested. She doesn't seem like she feels very good. She doesn't want to play much, she isn't trying her absolute hardest to get to the keyboard and type something right now (that is crazy weird), she just wants to rock. So that is what we are going to do for a bit!! She is being SO sweet but I know she doesn't feel herself!

I'll keep you updated!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Dear Aunt Say-Say-

I checked my email just now to read this:

Yo!!

It is June 23rd! Your last blog was June 17th. Aunt Say-Say needs her fill-up on my little niece….MOVE IT SISTER!!!!




Say-Say.... I LOVE YOU!! And... I'm guessing many of my "readers" love you too because here I am!

I have been SO SUPER crazy. First... my internet has been down for days. Sometimes it works for a few minutes and then it is down for hours and sometimes it works for a few hours and goes down for a few seconds. It is totally unpredictable.. and will drive you up the wall and back down the other side!!!

This weekend we spent Father's Day weekend with Casey's family. It was a very crazy but totally fun weekend! (and I'm sorry to say that I did not snap a single photo- not ONE!)
On sunday I found out that I would need to drive to New Orleans today to get my passport (more about my big trip soon!) I needed my passport ASAP and the New Orleans passport agency is one of the few in the nation that can actually get it in a day!
So..... Casey had to work (travel) all week so I decided to leave Anna with Casey's parents for a few days. (They were thrilled with this idea and so was I - couldn't wait for a little alone time!)

I called this morning to see how the night went only to find out that Anna had been very congested and throwing up all night! Of course I went into "mommy-overload" a.k.a. panic-attack =) Here I was on my way to New Orleans unable to do ANYTHING for my little sweet baby (who has NEVER been sick AT ALL)! Well, I decided I would leave New Orleans as soon as I got my passport and get Anna home so that she could go to the doctor tomorrow. Well, I didn't get out of New Orleans until 3 so then I decided it would be best for Anna if I just drove to Casey's parents' house and spent the night with her and drove back home in the morning. (mommy's want to be with their sick babies you know!) Good plan.....

....Until I talked to the doctor to make an appointment... She says "I'm going to call you in a prescription for the runny-nose. If she throws up again tonight come on in first thing in the morning!" SO.... now I'm back to meeting Casey's parents half way to get Anna so she can be home and close to the doctor if she needs to go first thing in the morning!

AHHHH.. crazy, crazy!

I am just about to walk out of the door to go meet Casey's parents. I won't get back home until LATE-LATE but I just thought I'd let you know all that is happening... crazy stuff!!

Not to mention that I got a parking ticket in N.O. for (YES) paying parking for bay 51 when I was parked in bay 52!! Had to stop and buy a phone charger because (YES) my phone died while I was TALKING to the DOCTOR! and then I went to pick up the prescription from Walgreens (I know.. first time back) and they didn't have it.. didn't even have a call from the doctor. So then I think maybe she thought I said Wal-MART so I go there and they don't have it either... I don't know where her prescription is =) We will have to find out tomorrow!!

All this to say - after today I can't even remember where I've been for the past week!! I will DEFINITELY get you and update on Anna's health TOMORROW!!!

Thanks for reading!!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

6 month check-up

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Today Anna had her 6 month check-up. She is healthy and happy!

16 lbs 9 oz
26.5 inches long

She also had her 6 month shots...

Where?

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How many?
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She did very good. She wasn't fussy or sick or anything. She just did this all day...

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Hope y'all have a good day!

Be back soon..

Hopefully tomorrow we will be back to this...

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....lots of playing with lots of energy!



Oh... and if you are ever keeping this little, don't try feeding her green beans unless you want her to gag herself until she successfully throws up all over you. I'm afraid she is going to have her mommy's appetite.
be back soon!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

ANNA IS SIX....

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... MONTHS OLD TODAY and...



This is what she is up to these days-

Rolling Over like crazy
Sitting up some
Laughing
Smiling ALL the time
Eating Food
Playing with us
Playing with toys
Looking at books


...she is LOVING LIFE!



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...and she LOVES to SWIM!!

Monday, June 15, 2009

80 diapers later....

I AM BACK!!
sorry I have been absent for so long!!

Here is where I have been and what I have been doing!

Working-

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On what you ask?...

Well the hammer was used to break some glass-

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For what?....

This-

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How?...

Let me show you-
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Of course I had a little help from the nieces and nephew:

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Amberly was on the "entertainment committee"... click on the video for a little Hannah Montanna!



While we were off doing this Casey was fishing! Check out his prize catch!

prize catch
Don't worry, the bird was fine!

We had a fun time at the farm!

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After the farm we headed out to spend the week with Zannie and DaddyBen. We had a lot of fun. Anna got to do some new fun things like jumping-


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and swimming-

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One day I had lunch with my friend Amber. Take a look at her photography (here) if you get a chance. She is great and isn't her little fella the most precious little man ever!

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Another day Anna and I had a little play date with another friend of mine and her little man. I didn't have my camera and could just kick myself. It was hysterical how he loved Anna so! He is 7 months older and just the cutest thing ever with her!

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of our time with DaddyBen and it was his birthday! Next time!! I did get some pictures of her with DaddyBen's hat.. which she loved!

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After our week with Zannie and DaddyBen we met back up with Daddy and all went south to visit with Mr. Joey's family. It was a blast. His nephews are some of the sweetest little guys in the world! They loved Anna too!! Here is what we did...

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We started out just watching:

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Then....

The boys watched us!!!

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We had a blast

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Fortunately I was behind the camera!

I totally see a "bouncy" birthday party in Anna's future... it will have to be a "half-birthday-birthday-party"!

We got home last night exhausted and finished the evening with a book:

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